Technology development for 48V input voltage regulator for next generation data center power systems

数据中心在2013年消耗了910亿千瓦时的电力，预计到2020年将消耗1400亿千瓦时的电力。CPU和DRAM内存在峰值负载时消耗约80%的服务器总功率，并且在未来的设计中，这种功率需求会增加。** 目前的数据中心电源系统使用12 V DC作为机架级配电电压，然后将其转换为较低的电压，例如CPU为1V，RAM为1.2V。随着功率的增加，12 V配电电缆中的铜损显著增加，因为铜损与电流的平方成比例。据估算，采用48 V机架式配电系统，配电网损耗可降低2%。对于48 V配电系统，使用开关电源转换器将48 V转换为12 V，然后将其转换为较低的电压。48 V至12 V转换级的效率较低，约为94%，这意味着损失了6%的能量。** 该项目将基于“虚拟零电感开关转换器”技术，该技术可以在显著更小的尺寸下实现48 V至12 V电源转换的99%以上效率。这使效率提高了5%，或相当于减少了84%的损耗。**该项目将实现两个主要目标：（1）设计具有最高效率（99%以上）和最高功率密度（5倍）的48 V至12 V总线转换器;（2）设计具有最高效率和最快动态响应的48 V至1V电压调节器，用于下一代数据中心应用。该项目的成功完成将大大提高行业赞助商的竞争优势，一家位于多伦多地区的小公司，使其能够开发世界上最高效率和最高功率密度的电源模块，用于48 V至12 V应用和48 V至1 V稳压器，用于数据中心应用。此外，还将在该项目中培训8名高素质人员。

Data centers consume 91 Billion kW-Hours electricity in 2013 and it is estimated that they will consume 140 Billion kW-Hour electricity by the year 2020. CPU and DRAM memory consume around 80% of the total server power at peak load, and this power need is increasing in future designs. **Current data center power systems use 12V DC as the rack level distribution voltage, which is then converted to lower voltage, such as 1V for CPU and 1.2V for RAM. As the power increases, the copper loss in the 12V distribution cables increases significantly as the copper loss is proportional to the square of the current. It is estimated that using a 48V rack distribution system, the distribution loss can be reduced by 2%. With a 48V distribution system, the 48V is converted into 12V using a switching power converter, which is then converted to lower voltages. The efficiency of 48V to 12V conversion stage is low, at around 94%, which means that 6% energy is lost. **This project will be based on the "Virtually-Zero-Inductor Switching Converter" technology that can achieve 99%+ efficiency for the 48V to 12V power conversion at significantly smaller size. This increases the efficiency by 5%, or equivalently reduces the loss by 84%.**The project will achieve two major objectives: (1) Design a 48V to 12V bus converter with highest efficiency (99%+) and highest power density (5 times higher) and (2) Design a 48V to 1V Voltage Regulator with highest efficiency and fastest dynamic response for next generation data center application.**The successful completion of this project will significantly improve the competitive advantages of the industry sponsor, a small company located in the Toronto area, by enabling it to develop the world highest efficiency and highest power density power modules for 48V to 12V application and for 48V to 1V voltage regulator for data center applications. In addition, 8 Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) will be trained in the project.****